Shi Xiaobai was even more perplexed. "What do you mean?"
Leonis coughed once again. His turbid eyes had a look of reminiscence as he said, "This King is not a pureblood Transcendent. From a young age, This King has been treated with contempt because of the existence of another bloodline. Back then, This King had a dream that one day the appearance of a foreign race could defeat the strongest Transcendent, letting every Transcendent realize an important thing—all races in the world are equal. However, when This King gradually became stronger, This King gradually forgot this dream. After becoming the strongest Transcendent and their king, This King went contrary to this dream. Human, you defeated This King and most ironic of all, This King is currently the strongest Transcendent. Therefore, you realized the dream that This King had buried by himself. Also, it appears that you prevented This King from committing genocide on his own people. So, regardless of the matter, This King has to thank you!"
Shi Xiaobai could tell the seriousness in Leonis's expression, and it did not seem fake. His eyes softened a little as he said, "There's no need to thank me. Your dream would have been realized sooner or later. Even if it wasn't done by This King, a foreign race that could defeat the Transcendents' strongest warrior would have appeared sooner or later, because the race of the Transcendents isn't the strongest race in the world. Furthermore, your dream has only be partially realized. Whether the Transcendents are able to realize that races are equal in this world or if they can let go of their nasty superior complex depends on your future actions. The change of racial attitudes needs a catalyst, but in greater need is a leader that promotes the new mindset! King Leonis, a true king has to lead his subjects down the right path!"
Shi Xiaobai's words made Leonis ruminate over it. After a long moment of silence, he said with a sigh, "What you said makes a lot of sense, but..."
Leonis's words suddenly took a turn as his turbid eyes suddenly focused, shimmering with a cold light. It was as though a sleeping lion had suddenly bared its vicious fangs.
"But would a real king shamelessly steal the most treasured sacred item of another country? Human, do you know how important an existence the fruit that you ate from the Transcendence Holy Tree is to This King, the Transcendents, and to this world!?"
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Chapter375 King’s Mandate
Shi Xiaobai was surprised. He had never expected Leonis to realize that he had eaten the fruit!
Shi Xiaobai immediately felt guilty. It was indeed not a good thing to secretly eat something that belonged to others, but he had really failed to resist the tempting fragrance of the holy tree. Also, he had done it because of the rage from the Transcendents' contempt. On this matter, he was guilty!
It was also possible that Leonis was not sure who had eaten it, and had only raised the issue as a bluff. At this moment, the best action was to feign ignorance or angrily accuse Leonis of maligning him.
However, Shi Xiaobai did not like to do such a thing. He sighed and said, "Eating that fruit was a rash decision of This King. Go ahead, what does the fruit mean to you, the Transcendents, and to this world? If This King can make up for it, he will definitely do his best."
Having been caught doing something wrong, it was best to admit the truth, even if it did not seem wrong from one's point of view. A fault was a fault, trying to use subjective arguments would not change the objective facts.
Now, with Shi Xiaobai pondering carefully over it, he realized that he had been acting on an impulse when he ate the Transcendence Holy Tree's fruit. After all, the fruit's effects were stunning, so it was likely extremely precious. By eating a precious treasure of the Transcendents as revenge for their contempt and arrogance was truly an underhanded tactic.
Leonis said with a sneer, "It was indeed you who ate it!"
Shi Xiaobai nodded calmly and said, "The fruit was eaten by This King."
Indeed, Leonis was just bluffing, but Shi Xiaobai openly admitted it.
Pulp Farmer and company looked each other in the eyes. They were also curious as to what Shi Xiaobai had eaten. They had never heard anything about the fruit of the Transcendence Holy Tree. However, ever since they entered Leonis's chamber, they had automatically fallen silent.
This was because they knew that this meeting was meant to be a conversation between Leonis and Shi Xiaobai. The three of them were just here out of convenience.
And when Leonis heard how Shi Xiaobai bluntly admitted to his 'crime', his expression turned extremely ugly, like a cold stone sinking down in silence.
The mood immediately turned awkward.
Shi Xiaobai coughed once and asked again, "What exactly does that fruit signify? This King is never an overbearing and unreasonable person. If the fruit will really affect the entire world as you said, This King will think of a method to shoulder the responsibility for eating the fruit!"
When Leonis heard this, his eyes flickered for a moment before his stiff body gradually slumped. He let out a deep sigh and said with a deep voice, "Forget it, this might be fate. Maybe you are more qualified than This King to eat that fruit. But human, you will definitely have to pay an enormous price for eating that fruit, because the real name of the fruit you ate is...Devil Fruit!"
Shi Xiaobai's eyebrows pricked up as he said in surprise, "Devil Fruit? Why would a fruit born from a holy tree have such an ominous name?"
Leonis said with a sneer, "The Transcendence Holy Tree is just a name, but in fact, it's not a holy tree, but a demonic tree! Do you know why there is an air of darkness around Moya in his third form and when This King is in his fourth form after we lose our reason? That's because the Transcendents...are descendants of devils!"
With this said, Shi Xiaobai and company were astonished. Shi Xiaobai said with a deep tone, "You are telling us the secret just like that? Aren't you afraid that we would leak this out?"
Leonis said, "The Transcendents have long been accused as bastards of the Infernals, but people think that it's just rumors and accusations. This is because the Transcendents have always been the main force that resist the Infernal King and the Infernals. Even if you spread the news, it would be treated as another joke or rumor. And the reason why you are informed of this matter is to tell you that ever since you ate the Infernal Fruit, you have already signed an agreement with the God of the Devils. Now, the present you is no longer a pure human, but...a half-devil!"
Devils had different definitions in different worlds and planes of existence. Shi Xiaobai did not know what the definition of an Infernal was in this world, but it definitely did not mean something good. However, Shi Xiaobai did not feel like any strange changes had happened to him after eating the fruit. Other than his strength increasing several levels, there was no other effect.
Shi Xiaobai asked, "What are devils? What effect does This King have on you, the Transcendents as well as this world for eating the Devil Fruit?"
Leonis fell silent for a few moments before saying, "Devils are naturally devils. The Infernal King in the Infernal domain as well as his Infernal army are a kind of devil. However, the devil bloodline of us, the Transcendents, is different from the devil bloodline of the Infernal King. Furthermore, we are archnemeses! It can be said that our race's devil bloodline was born to destroy the Infernal domain! And the fruit you ate was meant for the king of our race, which also means This King, so as to complete a King’s mandate!"
When Shi Xiaobai heard the last few words, he immediately said in astonishment, "What did you say? King’s Mandate?"
Leonis's eyebrows pricked up, unsure of the reason for Shi Xiaobai's sudden excitement. He could not be bothered to probe and just said coldly, "The Transcendents and the Infernal domain's Infernal King and Infernals are archnemeses. Therefore, the kings of the Transcendents have always shouldered an inescapable mandate of a King, which is to...kill the Infernal King and destroy the Infernal domain! The king of the Transcendents should have always been the strongest Br
aveheart in the world! And the Transcendence Holy Tree's Devil Fruit is the strongest means to allow the king to complete his mandate!"
"This King is also the king of the Transcendents, and only knew of the matter after accepting the title of king. I signed a contract with the God of the Devils, and paid a price that far exceeds your imagination, but the strength I gained is also extremely terrifying. Originally, This King just needed to eat another Devil Fruit to possess the power to kill the Infernal King, because This King accidentally ate one in his youth. Although eating two Devil Fruits will greatly reduce This King's lifespan, This King would die without regret as long as the King’s Mandate could be fulfilled!"
"Human, you ate that Devil Fruit, and even beat This King into such a state. This means that the only chance of killing the Infernal King has been extinguished by you. To This King, the Transcendents and to the whole world, you are the greatest villain!"
Leonis's voice became louder as his tone turned harsher, like he was denouncing Shi Xiaobai.
However, Shi Xiaobai laughed. He said with a laugh, "So that's the case. After saying so much, you just wish that This King, who ate the Devil Fruit, can help you complete the so-called mandate of a King. That couldn't possibly be any easier. Isn't it just killing the Infernal King and destroying the Infernal domain? This King never fears anything!"
Shi Xiaobai never expected that the riddle that he had been vexing over would be resolved so quickly.
From the looks of it, the King’s mandate meant the mandate of the King of the Transcendents!
Although it was somewhat coincidental, there was no explanation that could be any more plausible than that.
As for the Devil Fruit, or being a half devil, who cares!?
Ultimately, it only meant four words—kill the Infernal King!
However, this appeared to create a strange contradiction.
Judging from the present situation, killing the Infernal King could complete the King’s Mandate, completing Choice 1.
And in a discussion not long ago, killing the Infernal King would end the Age of Bravehearts, completing Choice 2.
In that case, the condition to completing Choices 1 and 2 was to kill the Infernal King, then why would there be a need for a choice?
A choice should of course lead to forks in the road, but why would they lead to the same path?
Could it be that one of the inferences was wrong?
Forget it. Regardless which inference was right or wrong, killing the Infernal King is definitely not a mistake!
Shi Xiaobai grinned and looked at Pulp Farmer and company in high spirits. He said, "Let's go, off to the Infernal domain to kill the Infernal King!"
...
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Chapter376 This King is immune to poison
Leonis summoned Shi Xiaobai and company to his chamber and engaged in a tirade that seemed like he was blaming Shi Xiaobai for secretly eating the holy tree's fruit, but in fact, the truth could easily be guessed. Leonis wanted Shi Xiaobai to head to the Infernal domain to kill the Infernal King.
Although it was unknown what benefits Leonis would gain if the Infernal King was killed, it was not something that mattered to Shi Xiaobai.
On the contrary, he was rather grateful to Leonis for giving him some idea what was the puzzling “King's Mandate” that the Absolute Choice had referred to.
Although ending the Age of Bravehearts and the King’s Mandate both pointed to 'killing the Infernal King', resulting in a contradiction, heading to the Infernal domain to kill the Infernal King was still the best choice.
Shi Xiaobai and company did not stay for long. After leaving King Leonis's palace, they prepared to leave Transcendence, and journeyed together to the Infernal domain.
It could be said that Shi Xiaobai left in a glorious fashion. Along the way, several Transcendents watched from afar, eyes filled with an ephemeral awe.
However, when they reached the city gate, the giant that guarded the city remained arrogant. Shi Xiaobai could still sense the strong animosity and killing intent from the giant.
After Shi Xiaobai and company walked out the city gate, the giant peeked his head out from inside the city gate and said coldly, "The race of the Transcendents is the strongest race. You will soon realize this point."
Shi Xiaobai's eyebrows pricked up slightly. The giant's sentence sounded like a downtrodden dog's crazy barking, but it sounded premonitory as though there was some special meaning behind it. This was because the giant said the sentence filled with confidence and ruthlessness.
Was he so foolish that he could not extricate himself from the superiority of the Transcendents, therefore just lying to himself?
Or did the giant hide a particular secret?
Shi Xiaobai smiled slightly and did not respond. He turned around and left the giant the sight of his back, as though he didn't care.
He did not believe that the race of the Transcendents was the strongest race in the world. Similarly, he did not believe that humans were that much mighty and glorious. As for how all races were equal in the world, Shi Xiaobai was not naive enough to believe that it could truly be attained.
However, there was one thing for certain. Lives were equal. Regardless if life ended up in eventual lowliness or prominence, or how the present made it dirty like a beggar's life, or noble like an aristocrat, there was no life that should be treated with contempt. There was also no life that immediately was above others the moment they were born.
The Transcendents did have a natural advantage at birth, but how could a lowly Transcendent beggar that was awaiting death be on a higher status than a Braveheart from other races?
The worth of a life was not because of one's race, but whether you could become such an existence.
...
...
In the desolate desert, there was only unending sand and sprawling rocks. It was dead silent, with no sign of life.
"This piece of land is called the Silent Desolate Lands. The Infernal domain is located to the west of the Silent Desolate Lands. As for Transcendence, it is located on the east. In fact, Transcendence is the city closest to the Infernal domain, with only the Silent Desolate Lands separating them. But strangely, the Infernal King has never attacked Transcendence over thousands of years."
Shi Xiaobai and company proceeded on the desolate lands at a speed that wasn't too slow, but neither was it too fast. The main reason was that Feng Yuanlin, who wasn't adept at movement techniques, had slowed them down. During this boring period, Liu Yu nicely gave Shi Xiaobai more information regarding the world in the seventh level.
Liu Yu continued, "Thousands of years ago, the Transcendents could only be considered above average among the various races. However, after the appearance of the Infernal King, nearly every race's city or tribe would be attacked by the Infernal King, resulting in Transcendence being the only unharmed location. And it was because of this that the strength of other races gradually weakened from the constant destruction from the Infernal King. As for the Transcendents, they were constantly getting stronger, eventually becoming the strongest race. For this matter, there are said to be two reasons. Some people say that the Infernal King is afraid of the Transcendence Holy Tree's divine might, so he does not dare to attack Transcendence. However, there are others who say that Transcendents are bastard children of the Infernals, so the Infernal King spares them."
"This penniless priest originally believed that the second rationale is more believable because Moya and Leonis's final form exude a strange and sinister aura. That look of theirs made them resemble the Infernals. However, Leonis just mentioned that the Transcendents are descendants of devils, and are a different kind of devil that is the nemesis of the Infernal King. This makes it somewhat odd. If the Transcendents are really devils that rival the Infernal King, why would the Infernal King spare Transcendence, which is closest to the Infernal domain, every time he leaves the Infernal doma
in? Could it be that the Infernal King is really afraid of that Transcendence Holy Tree that will reveal its might when Transcendence is about to be destroyed?"
When Shi Xiaobai heard this, Shi Xiaobai pondered for a moment and said, "It's probably hard to know if the Infernal King is afraid of the Transcendence Holy Tree. However, Leonis must have been lying. To be precise, what Leonis said must be a half-truth. It is not to be fully believed. Whether the Transcendents are really descendants of the devils or if they are archnemeses with the Infernal King requires observation."
Liu Yu nodded and after a moment of hesitation, he asked, "Benefactor Shi Xiaobai, what was the Devil Fruit that Leonis mentioned? To be honest, This penniless priest is rather curious as This penniless priest has read up on a lot of information regarding the seventh level of the Nine Revolutions Transcendental Tower before coming, but This penniless priest has never seen any description regarding the holy tree's fruit. Benefactor Shi Xiaobai, if you don't mind, can you give a simple explanation?"
When Pulp Farmer and Feng Yuanlin heard this, they cast their gazes at Shi Xiaobai. Clearly, they were very curious as well.
However, it did not seem proper to ask about such secretive matters so directly.
Shi Xiaobai did not mind, but the matter was still rather difficult to put into words. Shi Xiaobai considered for a moment his words before saying, "The attitude of the Transcendents made This King rather angry, so angry that he became enraged. In a fit of impulse, This King secretly climbed up the holy tree and planned to eat all the tree leaves of the holy tree. Later on, This King accidentally discovered a fruit hidden in the tree's crown before eating it. After eating the fruit, This King's physique did experience a significant improvement, but there was no strange changes. It is probably a lie when Leonis called it the Devil's Fruit."
What Shi Xiaobai said was basically the truth, but it did sound somewhat odd. Pulp Farmer and company looked each other in the eyes. Shi Xiaobai said that he got hungry from being mad and ran up the holy tree to eat leaves. Was that a joke or was he saying something witty?
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